Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1887-06-03
EDITORIAL.
DECORATION DAY.
An Enthusiastic Observance at wes-
s1ngton SPRINGS.

~A1A 1'AAIuus4dSI1c observance at w eS.
slngton Springs.
The day dawned cool and clear with |
a stiff breeze from the northwest that
soon shrouded the sky with somber
clouds which seemed in keeping with
the saddened quiet in the hearts of the
peoplel At an early hour large crowd
collected on Main street. where the
band was discoursing sweet music.
After commands and instructions from
Post Commander Chase and Adjutant
Hill the G. "A. RS formed for march
and proceeded to the cemetery, headed
by the band and followed by long
line of pedestrians and teams. Ar
rived at Prospect cemetery the G. A.
II. services We're conducted and the
lone grave of the soldier hero, Cleve-
land T.. Hall, was strewn with flowers
by the little flower-laden boys and girls
who scarcely realize yet the real sig
niicancce of Decoration day and all
they owe to the deaG heroes whose
graves are thus kept green )After mu-
sic by the choir the benelliction was
pronounced, and the assembly passed
TO the church and adjourned until one
o'clock p. m, Long before the hour
for the exercises to begin, the church
was packed to its utmost capacity. In
front were the members of the G.. A. r.,
most of whom begin to show that Fa-
ther Time has overtaken them in the
march of life and crowned them with
insignia OF gray hair. The band and
choir occupied the space at the right
of the speaker while the body of the
church was filled with intelligent and
grateful citizens and visitors from Wa
terbury, Woon socket, Alpena, Lynn
dale and other places. The address by
Rev. Murray Of Woonsocket was listen
ed to with intense interest from first
to last. Though young man, barely
past thirty, his address gave evidence
that those thirty years have been we'll
spent, showing as it did, a wide range
OF study and thought, He is true
friend to the soldier and must have
endeared himself to every soldier pre-
sent by his heartfelt, eloquent words
IN their behalf. while strewing flow
ers over the dead why not let some fall
along the pathway of the living. Bet
ter bring the rose while it's beauty can
be enjoyed and its fragrance inhaled
than to place it in the cold pulseless
hand of the dead. Our nation owes an
eternal debt Of gratitude to the brave
soldier, who helped to preserve our
country free and undivided. 1t is no
gift of charity to grant pension. 1t is
simply cancelling a debt OF honor, one
we should be glad to pay"
1t is impossible to give in one brief
article fair idea of all the good
thoughts uttered, but we must not omit
| mention Of the powerful appeal for
persistent battle in the present day
against the two great enemies threat
enlng the life of our nation, Anarchy
and Alcohol. The G.. A. r.. should pre-
sent solid front against their ap-
breaches and still protect the homes
they hold so dear. At the close Of Rev.
Murray,s speech, Master Geo. Stephens
favored the audience with a declama-
ton which was very well delivered for
one so young.
After more music by the band and
choir, the audience sang America" and
was dismissed with benediction pro-
nounced by Rev. Pagenhart.
Nothing occurred to mar the serenity
of the days exercises, and, we are con-
WINGED, each participant felt well repaid
for attending.